Method for applying sign characters



Aug. 1932- G. H. BABCOCK METHOD FDR APPLYING SIGN CHARACTERS Original Filed Dec. 16, 1930 Patented Aug. 9, 1932 wureo STATES PATENT oFFIca GEORGE H. BABCOCK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO RAYNER DECALCOMANIA COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS METHOD FOR APPLYING SIGN CHARACTERS Original application filed December 16, 1930, Serial No. 502,826. Divided and this application filed September 24, 1931.

This invention which relates to a method for transferring sign characters to a field whereon they are to be displayed, was first disclosed in my pending application filed December 16, 1930, Serial No. 502,826, of which this case is a division. Positioning of the individual sign units in a desired way, uniting all such units, when so positioned, for convenient handling, and transferring the several units so united to the sign field to which they are aifixed for permanent display, constitute the novel steps in my improved method of applying sign characters.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated in Figure 1 a perspective View of an apparatus wherein a number of sign characters may be arranged preliminary to application upon a sign field;

Fig. 2 a plan view thereof showing the clamp brought to engaging position upon the base;

Fig. 3 a similar view showing the clamp moved away from the base and. the individual sign characters joined by a connecting strip;

Fig. 4 an enlarged transverse section on line 4: of Fig. 2 showing the position of the clamp with respect to the sign characters when aligned upon the base; and

Fig. 5 a view in elevation showing the connected sign characters in the act of being applied to the field to which they are transferred.

For convenient handling of individual sign characters, whether of the decalcomania type, or otherwise, such as represented by the units a, b, 0 and (Z, I provide a base B with which is associated a clamp C. As shown, the base and clamp are each in the form of a board or plate, the one being hinged to the other as at 6. The clamp is somewhat narrower than the base so as to leave uncovered a portion of the latter along one of its edges (see Fig. l) to which is secured a gauge 7 having its upper edge extended slightly about the surface of the base. If desired, the front face of the gauge may carry spacing marks, such as the usual scale, as shown in Fig. 1.

Serial No. 564,777.

some sort of securing devices 10, one arranged preferably at each end of the base.

As shown, each of these securing devices may be in the form of a pivoted hook with a cam face 11 adapted to overlie and engage with a friction plate 12 extended across the clamp end, as shown best in Fig. 2.

In the use of this apparatus a plurality of sign characters a, b, c, d, etc., are laid upon the. base and brought to positions against the gauge by which they are aligned. The characters are thereupon spaced apart a suitable distance according to the spread desired. The clamp is then moved to press the cushion 9 upon the several characters, leaving exposed a portion of the surface of each adjacent the gauge. To safeguard against shifting of any of the characters from their finally adjusted position on the base, the cam hooks 10 are brought to engaging position over the clamp to exert a pressure thereupon. A strip .9 is next laid over the several characters, being disposed over the exposed portions thereof. This strip may conveniently consist of a gummed paper ribbon which, when applied to the characters, is adhered thereto to join them in unitary relation. In the case of decalcomania characters, the strip is adhered to the paper back forming the vehicle for such a sign character. At this stage of the operation, the clamp is removed and the several characters are transferred to the intended sign field 15, as shown in Fig. 5, where the operator, preliminary to their liberation from the connecting strip arranges them symmetrically or otherwise as an incident to their application to the sign field.

By the method of this invention I prearrange in a very simple manner a series of characters preliminary to their transfer to and application upon a sign field. It requires little or no skill on the part of the operator to align and space the characters correctly, to join them all for unitary handling with a connecting strip, thereafter in one operation to locate the several characters symmetrically with respect to the sign field, and then to free them for aifixation upon the field. The advantages of my invention reside largely in the simplicity of the method used, the ease with Which the several operations may beperformed, and the satisfactory results that are attainable by the users irrespective of any previous experience in the handling of sign units of the kind noted.

I claim:

1. The method of applying transfer characters to a sign field Which comprises aligning a plurality of selected separated characters in desired positions upon a base, in securing the characters against movement upon the base by applying pressure simultaneously to all of them upon certain definite portions of the surfaces thereof, in adhering to other portions of the surfaces of the sham acters a connecting medium which joins them together, in positioning the oined characters upon a field, and in freeing the characters for transfer to the field.

2. The method of applying transfer characters to a sign field Which comprises positioning a plurality of separated characters upon a base, in securing simultaneously all the characters against movement in their ad justed positions upon the base, in connecting together all the characters While so posi tioned, in removing the several connected characters to a sign field, and in ailixing to the field the characters positioned thereupon as upon the base. 

